The end of summer, like many others in this parenting journey, is one of those where I constantly find myself reaching for sugary, sweet, quick energy foods that normally involve being covered in chocolate and pretty much both terrible for me, and not really providing long term solutions, any nutrition, or really helping with the energy problems.
After my second child was born, I got into the habit of making bliss balls and green smoothies every day, but over time, that’s become just another chore, and I’ve given up on it. I loved this description in a release from 9Nine:
“While pregnant we are endlessly mindful about what we eat, drink and breathe. We look after our bodies for the sake of our precious, unborn child and are glowing, buoyant gatekeepers – eating well, taking our vitamins and drinking our litres of water. But once baby is born we all-too-often become janitors – shuffling through the day on just enough empty calories to keep us upright and putting all the focus on keeping the children healthy.”
It would be funny, if it weren’t so true!
And that’s what this post is about 9Nine, and their super seeds solutions. Seeds, which really do pack a punch provide us with a wide range of essential oils and nutrients and fall within the guidelines of most dietary restrictions. Snacking on seeds not only offers fantastic health benefits, providing much-needed nutrients, they are full of slow-release energy, making them perfect for long days (and nights).
Seeds are great for kids too. With so many nut allergies around, seeds are generally a safe go-to gap-filler. And their slow-release energy is a winner when it comes to being focused. Unlike the peak and crash of a high sugar snack, eating whole foods can result in better concentration and stamina.
9NINE products celebrate super seeds and are the perfect snack for people who care about their well-being but don’t always have time to prepare snacks from scratch.
Some of the ‘super seeds’ in the 9NINE snacks are:
Chia means ‘strength’ and as far as fuel goes, it doesn’t get much better than this. Chia seeds are full of nutrients and, unlike some seeds, come with very few calories. Harvested from a flowering plant in the mint family, these seeds can absorb a lot of liquid – they expand to hold about ten times their dry weight. Chia is a real all-rounder; it’s used in puddings and porridge, added to smoothies and sprinkled on salads.
Flaxseed (also called linseed) is packed full of good things including dietary fiber, omega-3 and vitamin B1 – you can see why it is often referred to as wonder food. You have to grind flaxseed before using it but once you’ve done that labour of love, you can add it to anything from morning porridge to homemade bread.
Pumpkin seeds have long been a favourite for healthy snackers, and they haven’t lost their appeal. Bringing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and essential acids with every handful, these seeds are seriously versatile. They can be eaten raw or cooked in sweet or savoury dishes – or simply roasted for a super on-the-go snack.
Sunflower seeds are crunchy and nutty and usually eaten plain as a snack or simply sprinkled on salads. Filled with antioxidants, magnesium, copper and Vitamin E, they are top of their game and are even said to bring a glow to tired skin! Filled with goodness that’s drawn straight from the sun, they become the star of the show in recipes such as sunflower seed pesto and homemade bread.
And for those who want all the details, the nutrients you’ll find in the average 9NINE seed snack, with the things they are good for, are:
- Magnesium restores mindfulness with good energy
- Fibre boosts your body with good digestion
- Copper activates your immune system
- Phosphorous looks after your mental energy
- Vitamin E gets your skin glowing
- Thiamin gets the best energy out of your food
- Potassium gives your heart the love it deserves
- Manganese maintains strength through healthy bones
- Calcium keeps the balance with happy hormones
- Zinc gives a natural immune boost
- Protein is an essential building block for a balanced life
- Iron keeps oxygen moving around the body
That’s a lot of oomph from little seeds!
9NINE COMPETITION
I was sent a box of 9NINE Super Seed snacks to try and you can win a box of bars, bombes, and various branded goodies too.
Terms & Conditions
1. There will be 1 winner
2. The PR will be sending the prize directly to the winner
3. UK entries only
4. Random winner will be selected using GLEAM
5. Prizes cannot be exchanged, and decision is final
6. Winner will have 21 days to claim prize, after which it will be forfeit
